is a 17" MacBook Pro w/ ExpressCard/34 slot worth buying today?

Luis_

Luis_

Well-known member
I'm in the process of buying a new MacBook Pro.
I shoot on P2.
I'm not sure if it's worth getting the 17incher with all the bells and whistles or if the 15 is sufficient.
Can anyone weigh in on this and assist in this investment decision please.
Luis-
 
I just bought a 15" because 17" won't fit in any of my cases that I use to transport my laptop (briefcase, backpack) If you dig a larger laptop screen and it will be your primary editing computer, AND you won't hook it up to an external monitor, then 17" might be right for you. Keep in mind this is coming from someone who loved his 13" iBook... I'm all about traveling small and portable.

Also... you saw "new" MBP... I assume you mean new for you, but in reality a used MBP and not a unibody? (unibody MBPs do not have ec34 slots) **new 17" MBPs do have them**
 
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yes it's going to be my primary editing suite.
every now and then I may hook it up to a monitor via HDMI when I'm doing a TV Spot or something.

But yes I'm referring to the a brand new machine.
The 17" MBP on apple.com shows the express card slot in the specs.

I just don't know if the express card slot is that necessary now-a-days like if anyone is using it to connect anything else on there or if it's the best way to offload P2 or what ever.

The way I see it right now is that I don't know if I should pay and extra $300 for 2 inches of screen and the card slot unless I'm really going to need it. hmmm................
 
I use the express slot to connect to my raid drives via a esata connection and esata card. I find I am having much better performance with that than firewire.
 
I think the express card slot is a necessity until Apple starts including USB 3, eSata, etc in the MBPs.

Only thing is that Mac Buyer's Guide seems to think that updates might be coming for the MBPs, which they list as Don't Buy, Updates Soon
 
Luis_ said:
The 17" MBP on apple.com shows the express card slot in the specs.
Click to expand...

Well shut my mouth... I looked at them and hadn't noticed the 17" had the slot.
I'd say the slot alone is worth money, capturing P2 in the field quickly without being tethered to the HVX is worthwhile.

You could always get a previous generation MBP with ec34 slot in a 15" if budget is a concern.
 
ok now the balance tips over towards the 17 a little more and I don't feel so bad :)
but naaa... I'm about to drop a dime so not interested in anything used. I'm going for the i7 2.8g with the solid state drive and the 8gigs of R. I do a lot f ProTools too and I want this baby to rip the blacktop when I lay that 1080 on the timeline :)
Thanks for the input guys.
If anyone else has anything please feel free to add on.
thanks!
 
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